More than half of US hiring managers, 51%, prefer interviewing candidates face-to-face instead of through a screen or phone, according to a survey by Express Employment Professionals.
However, the effects of the pandemic are still visible as 8% only conduct interviews virtually, while 40% use a combination of in-person and virtual.
“Technology was such a wonderful asset to keep the workforce connected during the Covid-19 pandemic, but returning to in-person interviews or a virtual component at the start of the hiring process allows employers to assess soft skills that are hard to capture without meeting face-to-face,” Express Employment International CEO Bill Stoller said in a statement. “Looking at these survey results, it seems companies agree.”
The report found that while the methods for conducting job interviews depend on multiple factors, including the industry and the candidate’s skill level, the value of in-person interaction can set candidates up for success.
Express Employment Professionals’ survey was conducted online by The Harris Poll between June 13 and June 26 among 1,010 US hiring decision makers who are employed full time or self-employed.